Baby carriage rocker device

ABSTRACT

A BABY CARRIAGE ROCKER DEVICE FOR A BABY CARRIAGE OF THE TYPE HAVING A COACH RESILIENTLY MOUNTED ON A FRAME WHEREIN THE FRAME IS SUPPORTED BY AT LEAST TWO SPACED AXLES, THE DEVICE INCLUDES A MOTOR HAVING A ROTATABLE SHAFT WHICH MOUNTS A DISC PROVIDED WITH AN ECCENTRICALLY LOCATED PIN. THE MOTOR IS SUPPORTED BY MEANS WHICH EXTENDS BETWEEN AND IS CONNECTED TO THE AXLES SO THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE MOTOR DOES NOT UNBALANCE THE CARRIAGE. THE PIN IS CONNECTED TO ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME BY A SPRING CONNECTION SO THAT THE ROTATION OF THE SHAFT AFFECTS ROCKING OF THE CARRIAGE.

Feb. 23, 1971 5, NELSON 3,564,626

BABY CARRIAGE ROCKER DEVICE Filed April 5', 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG! 'INVENTOR. 'Sreve. J. Nelson ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1971 5. J. NELSON A BABY CARRIAGE ROCKER DEVICE 2RSheetsS heet 2 Filed April 5, 1969 FIG.6

190 {use United States Patent 3,564,626 BABY CARRIAGE ROCKER DEVICE Steve J. Nelson, 351 W. 18th St., New York, N.Y. 10011 Filed Apr. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 813,227 Int. Cl. A47d 9/02 US. Cl. -109 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A baby carriage rocker device for a baby carriage of the type having a coach resiliently mounted on a frame wherein the frame is supported by at least two spaced axles, the device includes a motor having a rotatable shaft which mounts a disc provided with an eccentrically located pin. The motor is supported by means which extends between and is connected to the axles so that the weight of the motor does not unbalance the carriage. The pin is connected to one side of the frame by a spring connection so that the rotation of the shaft affects rocking of the carriage.

This invention relates generally to a baby carriage rocker device and, more particularly, pertains to a safe and effective device for automatically rocking a baby carriage.

Practically all commercially available baby carriages manufactured today include a coach or a body portion which is resiliently mounted on a frame. The coach is adapted to be rocked by grasping the handle of the frame and applying an up and down motion thereto to relax and/or soothe an infant and induce the infant to sleep. However, an operator is required to impart this rocking motion to the coach and, accordingly, is essentially tied up during this interval so that the rocking of a child to sleep becomes an extremely time consuming operation. Additionally, this operation becomes even more of a problem when taken into consideration that the operator is the mother of the child who must also oversee the other children in the family at the same time.

In an effort to ameliorate the above problem, automatic rocking devices have been proposed in the past. These devices are mounted on the carriage and, in some manner, connected to the coach so that actuation of the rocking device affects rocking of the coach. However, these devices are usually heavy as compared to the weight of the carriage and, when mounted on the carriage, usually unbalance the same. Hence, a simple shift in weight of the infant from one side of the carriage to the other may overturn the carriage. Thus these devices present an even greater problem than the problem they are designed to solve.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved automatic rocker device for a baby carriage.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a baby carriage rocker device which is simple in construction and reliable in operation.

Another object of the invention resides in the novel details of construction which provide a baby carriage rocker device of the type described which is securely supported by the frame of the carriage thereby eliminating the possibility of overturning of the carriage due to the rocker device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a rocker device which is compatible for use with practically all makes of presently available baby carriages.

Accordingly, a rocker device constructed in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be used in conjunction with a baby carriage of the type having a frame Patented Feb. 23, 1971 which includes at least two spaced axles and a coach resiliently mounted on the frame. The device comprises a motor having a rotatable shaft which mounts a disc. Eccentrically mounted on the disc is a pin and connecting means is provided for connecting the pin to the frame so that rotation of the disc affects rocking of the carriage. Support means is provided for supporting the motor. The support means has clamping means at each end for engaging respective ones of the axles to fix the support means securely in place between the two axles.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a rocking device for a baby carriage which is connected to the axles of the carriage to provide a safe and secure support.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a baby carriage provided with a rocker device constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed front elevational view, with parts broken away, of the support means of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the support means illustrating how the length of the support means is varied;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a modified embodiment of a support means of the device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a detail View, to an enlarged scale, of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 4 illustrating a clamping arrangement for connecting the support means to an axle of the carriage; and

FIG. 6 is a detailed front elevational view, with parts broken away and partially in section, of a modified embodiment of support means constructed according to the present invention.

As noted hereinabove, the rocker device of the present invention is adapted to be utilized with a carriage of the type shown in FIG. 1 and designated generally by the reference number 10. More specifically, the carriage 10 includes a body or a coach portion 12 which receives the infant. The coach 12 is mounted on a frame which is designated generally by the reference number 14. The frame 14 includes a bottom member having a substantial horizontal portion 16 and opposed inwardly curved end portions 18 and 20'. A similar bottom member is located on the other side of the carriage. Connected to the ends of curved portions 18 and 20 are respective springs 22 and 24. A coach supporting strut 26 is provided. One end of the strut 26 is connected to the coach at 28 and the other end of the strut 26 is connected to the spring 22. An elongated U-shaped handle member 30 similarly is provided. A leg 32 of the member 30 extends along one side of the coach 12 and the other leg (not shown) extends along the far side of the coach. As shown in FIG. 1, the end of the leg 32 is connected to the spring 24 and a rivet 34 connects an intermediate portion of the leg 32 to the coach 12. The bight 36 of the member 30 forms the handle of the carriage. A similar supporting arrangement is located on the far side of the carriage.

It will now be apparent that the coach 12 is resiliently supported on the frame 14. In other words, the springs 22 and 24 provide a floating connection for the coach 12 to the bottom member so that the carriage may easily be rocked by exerting an up and down movement on the handle 36. As is conventional in constructions of this type, longitudinally spaced axles 38 and 40 are provided which are fixedly received in appropriate aperatures in the respective bottom members. The ends of the axles 38 and 40 rotatably mount wheels 42 so that the carriage 12 may be wheeled easily from place to place.

Alternatively, the axles 38 and 40 may be rotatably received in the bottom members and the wheels received on the ends of the axles.

It is emphasized that the carriage described above is for illustrative purposes only and is not to be interpreted as a limitation on the present invention. That is, the device of the present invention is adapted to be used with any carriage having a coach portion which is resiliently mounted on a frame, and is not limited to a coil spring connection between the coach and the frame, as shown above, but may be a leaf spring or any other type of resilient mountmg.

The device of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 44 in FIG. 1 and includes a motor 46 having a rotatable output shaft 48. Fixably received on the output shaft 48 is a disc 50 having an eccentrically located pin 52 thereon. Pivotally connected to the pin 52 is a rod 56. A member 58 having a hook end 60 is connected to the rod 56 by a spring 62. The member 58 and/or the rod 56 may be fabricated from a dielectric material so that the rod and the member are insulators which effectively prevent the transfer of current from the motor 46 to the metal frame in case of a malfunction to eliminate the possibility of shock hazard. The hooked end 60 of the member 58 engages an outwardly projecting knob 64 on the strut 26.

As noted above, a disadvantage of similar prior rocker devices resided in the fact that the motor, when placed on the frame 14, unbalanced the frame to such a degree that a shifting weight of the infant in the coach 12 could cause the whole carriage to overturn. In contradistinction thereto, the present invention includes a supporting device designated generally by the reference numeral 66 and shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, which securely and safely mounts the motor 46 on the frame 14. To be more specific, the supporting device 66 includes a first substantially rectangular member 68 which is provided with an elongated slot 70 adjacent to one end thereof. A second rectangular member 72 is provided which is received in superposed relationship to the member 68 and which is similarly provided with an elongated slot 74 adjacent to one end. Spaced screws 76 and 78 extend through the slot 74 and 70 in the members 72 and 68. Received on the screws 76 and 78 are washers 80 and 82 which have di ameters in excess of the width of the slots 74 and 70 and which abut the undersurface of the member 68. Winged nuts 81 are received on the ends of the screws 76 and 78 and are adapted to be screwed down tightly to cause the washers 8 and 82 to aflixahly abut the undersurface with sufficient force to prevent relative movement between the members 68 and 72. Accordingly, it will be obvious that the overall length of the supporting device 66 may be changed simply by loosening the winged nuts on the screws 76 and 78 so that the members 68 and 72 may be moved relative to each other. That is, if the members 68 and 72 are moved away from each other the length of the supporting device 66 will increase. On the other hand, if the members are moved toward each other the overall length of the device 66 will decrease. After the correct length has been chosen, the winged nuts again may be tightened to prevent relative movement of the members 68 and 72 thereby fixing the length of the supporting device 66.

Connected to the supporting device 66 are clamps for securely clamping the supporting device to the frame 14. More specifically, a clamp 84 is connected to the front end of the member 72 for affixing the supporting device 66 to the axle 38. The clamp 84 includes a rearwardly extending section 86, a downwardly and forwardly extending section 88 and a forwardly extending horizontal portion 90. The section 86 is aflixed to the undersurface of the member 72 by a rivet 92. As shown in FIG. 2, the axle 38 is adapted to be received between the member 72 and the forwardly extending portion 90 of the clamp. In practice, the space between the member 72 and the 4 section or portion is slightly smaller than the diameter of the axle so that the axle 38 will be frictionally retained in place.

Connected to the screw 76 is a rear clamp 94. Similarly to the clamp 84, the clamp 94 includes an upper horizontal section 96, a downwardly and rearwardly extending section 98 and a rearwardly extending horizontal portion 100. The axle 40 is adapted to be received between the member 68 and the horizontally extending portion 100 of the clamp 94. Similarly to the clamp 84, the space between the portion 100 and the member 68 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the axle 40. The motor 46 is connected to the member 68 in any conventional manner as by screws or the like, and is positioned adjacent the end of the member 68, as shown in FIG. 2.

In operation, the screws 76 and 78 are loosened so that the members 68 and 72 may be moved relative to each other. The supporting device '66 is collapsed to a small length and is inserted under that carriage coach 12. The front end of the member 72 is positioned so that the axle 38 is received between the portion 90 of the front clamp 84 and the member 72. Thereafter, the member 68 is moved rearwardly and with respect to the member 72 until the motor 46 is positioned over the axle 40 of the carriage frame 14. The screw 78 is then tightened to fix the length of the supporting device 66. The rear clamp 94 is then moved rearwardly in the slots 74 and 70' until the rear axle 40 is received between the clamp 94 and the member 68. Thereafter, the winged nut 81 is tightened to affix the clamp in place and securely clamp the supporting device 66 to the axles 38 and 40. The hook end 60 of the member 58 is then placed around the knob 64 to connect the rocker device 44 with the carriage. The motor 46 is connected to an energizing source by an appropriate lead (not shown).

As the output shaft of the motor 46 rotates, the disc 50 similarly rotates thereby stretching the spring 62 and applying a downward force on the knob 64. Accordingly, the coach portion 12 is tilted toward the side and the rear portion of the coach is pulled downwardly. As the disc 50 completes a revolution the tension of the spring is relaxed so that the carriage coach portion 12 is allowed to return to its normal position. However, because of the inertia of the coach, it passes beyond its normal position and tilts toward the other side while the rear portion of the coach moves upwardly. Hence, the total movement imparted to the coach is both a rocking movement and a tilting movement thereby enhancing the efficacy of the device of the present invention.

It is to be noted that the supporting device 66 extends between and is securely connected to the axles 38 and 40 thereby distributing the weight of the rocker device of the present invention in such as manner so that the carriage 10 is not unbalanced. Hence, the present device provides a relatively safe means for automatically rocking the carriage. Additionally, in practice the motor 46 is located directly over the axle 40. Hence, the heaviest portion of the rocker device of the present invention, which is the motor 46, is supported directly by the frame 14 of the carriage so that no eccentric forces are applied to the carriage 10.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a modified embodiment of the present invention which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 with the exception that the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a supporting device 102. The supporting device 102 comprises substantially rectangular member 104 which is provided at the rear end with a clamp similar to the clamp 84. It is to be understood that the rear axle 40 is received between this clamp and the member 104 and the motor 46 again is located directly over the axle 40. However, the front end of the member 104 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 106 one of which is adapted to receive the front clamp 108, as shown in FIG. 5. The clamp 108 includes a curved portion 110 and a threaded shaft portion 112.

In operation, the shaft portion 112 is inserted upwardly through the hole 106 which is nearest the axle 38. The curved portion 110 is engaged beneath the axle '38 and a winged nut 114 is threaded onto the shaft 112 extending above the member 104. The winged nut is tightened in the conventional manner thereby drawing the curved portion 110 against the axle 38 to affix the rocker device securely in place.

A further modified embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein like reference numerals designate identical elements as those shown in FIGS. l-5. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the motor 46 is mounted on a platform 168. Affixed to the underside of the platform 168 by a rivet 138 or the like is a clamp 184 which includes a horizontal upper arm 186, a downwardly and rearwardly extending intermediate leg 188 and a rearwardly extending bottom arm 190. The axle 40 is adapted to be received between the arm 190 and the platform 168. As shown in FIG. 6 the clamp 184 is positioned so that the motor 46 is located over the axle 40 to eliminate the possibility of unbalanced forces being applied to the carriage. Additionally, two or more transversely spaced clamps 184 may be provided to further connect the device of the present invention with the carriage.

Accordingly, a rocker device for a baby carriage has been disclosed which is simple in construction and reliable in operation and which does not create any unbalanced forces which would tend to cause the carriage to become unsafe and be easily overturned by the shifting weight of the infant in the coach portion of the carriage. As an added safety feature, the supporting device 66 is preferably constructed of wood to prevent the transfer of current from the motor 46 to the metal frame in case of a malfunction to eliminate the possibility of shock hazard. It will be further appreciated that by employing winged nuts 81 as heretofore described, the instant rocker device can be quickly and easily mounted on the baby carriage for use, and removed therefrom when desired, for folding, transporting or storing the carriage.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein it will become obvious that numerous omission, changes and additions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the motor 46 may be operated from a battery which is positioned on the supporting device 66 or 102 thereby eliminating the need to connect the motor 46 to an exter nal source of energy. Additionally, the motor 46 may be energized from a timing device which times the interval that the motor is energized so that after a preselected interval of time the rocker device will become de-energized to stop the rocking of the carriage.

What is claimed is:

1. A baby carriage rocker device for a baby carriage of the type having a frame including at least two spaced axles and a coach resiliently mounted on said frame, said device comprising a motor having a rotatable shaft, support means for supporting said motor, said support means being adjustable and comprising a first member having an elongated slot and a second member having an elongated slot in superposed relation to said first member, a screw extending through the elongated slots of said first and second member, and tightening means on the end of said screw adapted to tighten said screw in place to prevent relative movement of said first and second members, clamping means at each end of said support means for engaging respective ones of said axles to afi'ix said support means between said two axles, said clamping means including a front clamp connected to one of said members and adapted to receive one of said axles between said front clamp and one of said members, and a movable rear clamp connected to said support means and adapted to be moved to a position wherein said other axle is received between said rear clamp and said support means, and tightening means for tightening said rear clamp in place, a disc connected to said motor shaft and eccentrically mounting a pin thereon, and connecting means for connecting said pin to said frame, whereby rotation of said disc affects rocking of said carriage.

2. A baby carriage rocker device as in claim 1, in which said motor is located on said support means so that said motor is positioned over one of said axles when said device is connected to a baby carriage.

3. A baby carriage rocker device as in claim 1, in which said connecting means includes a hooked memr ber adapted to engage a portion of said frame, and a spring connected between said hooked member and said pin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 628,149 7/1899 Sinclair 1801(BX) 2,670,969 3/1954 Costikyan a- .28047.13 3,075,205 1/1963 Canova 5-109 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,323,337 5/1962 France 5l08 LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner R. R. SONG, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 28031, 47.38 

